proceedings of yesterday were read. Mr. J. Smith and Mr. Ridgely have leave of absence on account of particular private business.

Whereas, many young men under twenty-one years, seized of lands and tenements within this state, have entered, and others so seized may enter, into the service of this state or the United States in arms, and by the laws now in being they cannot devise their lands or tenements, it is therefore Resolved, That any last will of any young man in the service aforesaid, made after he hath or shall have accomplished the age of sixteen years, shall, in case he hath died or shall die whilst in service as aforesaid, be of the same force and effect, to all intents and purposes, as if he was of the full age of twenty-one years at the time of his making the same will.

Mr. Bishop has leave of absence on account of the indisposition of his brother.

The president laid before the convention a letter from the committee of observation for Kent county, relative to the conduct of Mr. William Sluby, which was read.

Ordered, That the same be entered on the journal, and it follows in these words:

Chestertown, October 23, 1776. “Gentlemen—Inclosed is a report of the facts, relative to Mr. Sluby's case, as they arose on the examination of Mr. Claypoole, and two others who were summoned by the committee at the request of Mr. Sluby. The committee set two days on the business for want of time to finish the examination the first day. Mr. Claypoole was absent in the country the second day of our sitting, so that Mr. Sluby had not an opportunity of cross examining him. The committee are of opinion, that nothing appeared against Mr. Sluby, which would justify the exercise of the power of sending him under a guard to the convention.

"Signed by order,

JOHN COMBS, clerk com. "P. S. The reason Mr. Sluby did not cross examine Mr. Claypoole on the first day is, that after Mr. Claypoole had delivered his testimony, the chairman was called off on necessary business.

"To the honorable the convention at the city of Annapolis." Mr. Mason appeared in the house.

Agreeable to the order of the day, the convention resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to consider further of the declaration of rights, and form of government for this state; Mr. T. Wright in the chair. After some time spent therein, Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Wright reported, that the committee had, according to order, taken into their consideration the declaration of rights, and form of government for this state, and had come to sev.

eral resolutions thereon, but not having had time to come to a conclusion, had directed him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this convention will on Monday resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider further of the same.

On motion of Mr. J. Hall, Resolved, That the council of safety be authorised and empowered to make out commissions for captain Thomas Watkins, and also for his first and second lieutenants and ensign, Levin Lawrence, Thomas Todd, and John Iiams, jun., as as captain, first, second, and third lieutenants of a company of matrosses to be stationed in the city of Annapolis, and that they or either of them have power to enlist all the men of said company that are willing to enlist as matrosses, and to discharge such of them as are not willing to enlist after the first of December, and enlist others, so that the said company may be completed to the number of ninety-two privates, besides commissioned and noncommissioned officers.

Convention adjourns till Monday morning, 9 o'clock.

MONDAY, October 28, 1776.

Convention met. All members present as on Saturday, except Mr. Ridgely, Mr. J. Smith, Mr. Bishop, and Mr. Kent. The proceedings of Saturday were read. Mr. Dent, Mr. Parnham, and Mr. S. Wright, appeared in the house. Mr. Lowes has leave of absence on account of sickness.

Mr. Sheredine brings in and delivers to Mr. President a report from the committee appointed to enquire how far the resolves of the last convention of the sixth of July for raising two companies of rifle-men, and four companies of Germans, have been complied with, and into the expenditure of the money advanced for the raising those companies, which was read in the words following, to wit:

"In obedience to the order of the honourable convention, the committee appointed to enquire how far the resolves of the convention of the sixth of July last for raising two companies of rifle men, and four companies of Germans, have been complied with, and into the expenditure of the the money advanced for raising those companies, beg leave to report, That the committee of observation for Harford, Baltimore, and Frederick counties, recommended officers for the several companies agreeable to the resolves of the said convention; that the rifle company and four companies of Germans for Frederick and Baltimore counties have some time since marched for their place of destination; that the company of rifle men for Harford county is not yet complete, having not more than fifty men.

"They further beg leave to report, that the sum of fifteen hundred and twenty dollars appears to have been advanced by the delegates in congress on account of the German battalion to colonel George Stricker, out of which, by an account rendered to the second day of September, the sum of four hundred and twenty-four pounds ten shillings has been paid to the different captains of those companies, which leaves a balance in colonel Stricker's hands of one hundred and forty-five pounds ten shillings: that the sum of eight hundred dollars appears to have been advanced by the council of safety to major Ludowick Weltner, and by his account rendered, he has paid to the different captains of the German companies for their use and for arms and blankets, three hundred and eleven pounds ten shillings; there remains a balance in his favour of eleven pounds ten shillings: that the sum of eight hundred and sixty dollars appears to have been advanced by said council to captain William Heiser of the German battalion, and by an account rendered by him to the eighth of September, the further sums of seventy pounds by colonel Stricker, and thirty-seven pounds ten shilling by major Weltner; that by the said account captain Heiser has paid for bounty, inlisting, subsistence, and blankets, eight hundred and sixty-four pounds eight shillings and seven pence: and that a balance appears to remain due in his favor of two hundred and thirty-four pounds eight shillings and seven pence: that the sum of eight hundred and sixty dollars appears to have been advanced to captain Henry Fister of said battalion, and by his account rendered to September the eighth, the further sum of fifty-two pounds ten shillings by colonel Stricker, and one hundred and thirty-seven pounds ten shillings by major Weltner; that he has paid as bounty and inlisting money, and for the subsistence of his company, six hundred and thirty-nine pounds seven shillings and four pence, and a balance appears to remain in his favour of one hundred and twenty-seven pounds seven shillings and four pence; that the sum of eight hundred and sixty dollars appears to have been advanced to captain Philip Graybill of said battalion, with the additional advance of one hundred pounds by the council of safety, and the further sum of one hundred and twenty-two pounds twelve shillings and six pence by colonel Stricker, and thirty-seven pounds ten shillings by major Weltner, and that no account appears to have been rendered by him of the expenditure of the said money: that the sum of eight hundred and sixty dollars appears to have been advanced to captain William Keeports of said battalion by said council, and the further sums of two hundred and one pounds seventeen shillings and six pence by

colonel Stricker, and thirty seven pounds ten shillings by major Weltner, and no account appears of the expenditure of those sums: that the sum of eight hundred and sixty dollars was advanced to captain Thomas Beall of the rifle company for Frederick county, and by accounts rendered by himself and officers, the sum of two hundred and fifty-one pounds five shillings has been expended in raising the said company, and that a balance remained in the hands of said officers of seventy-one pounds five shillings, at the time of rendering the said accounts: that the sum of eight hundred and sixty dollars appears to have been advanced to captain Smith of the rifle company for Harford county, and no account appears of the expenditure of the same, but your committee are informed that one hundred and sixty dollars of the said sum has been returned to the council of safety. The committee beg leave to observe, that captains Heiser and Fister in their accounts rendered have charged ten shillings per man for inlisting, and the same sum per man for subsistence of their companies per week: that the accounts rendered by some of the officers of said companies are so confused, and others giving in no account at all, puts it out of the power of the said committee to report so accurate a state of the expenditure of the several sums advanced as they could wish. All which is submitted to the consideration of the honourable house.

"Signed by order,

Ordered to lie on the table.

JOHN STULL, chairman,"

The order of the day that the convention will resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider further of the declaration of rights, and form of government of this state, was read, and referred till to morrow.

Convention adjourns till to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock.

TUESDAY, October 29, 1776.

Convention met. All members present as on yesterday, except Mr. Lowes. The proceedings of yesterday were read. Mr. Ridgely and Mr. Fischer appeared in the house.

On motion of Mr. Johnson, Resolved, That the council of safety be empowered to issue warrants to recruiting sergeants, for the inlistment of non-commissioned officers and privates in the continental service, as a part of the eight battalions for this state, agreeable to the resolutions of this convention, and that any freeman enrolled for the flying camp service be permitted to inlist.

On motion, Resolved, That a delagate be elected for Kent county in the room of Mr. Thomas Ringgold, deceased; that the election be held on the 14th day of November next, at Chester town

in said county, by John Page, William Rogers, and William Bordly, Esqrs. or any two or one of them, and that the said election be held and made agreeable to the directions and resolves of the last convention.

Agreeable to the order of the day, the convention resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to consider further of the declaration of rights, and form of government for this state; Mr. T. Wright in the chair. After some time spent therein Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Wright reported, that the committee had, according to order, taken into their consideration the declaration of rights, and form of government for this state, and had come to several resolutions thereon, but not having had time to come to a conclusion, had directed him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this convention will on to-morrow resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider further of the samc.

Mr. Bowie and Mr. Hooe have leave of absence for a few days, on account of particular private business.

This convention being informed, that in the constitution or form of government agreed to by the delegates of Virginia, a claim is made by them injurious to the inhabitants of this state, Ordered, That the same be read, and the same was read as follows, to wit:

"The territories contained within the charters erecting the colonies of Maryland, Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina, are hereby ceded, released, and forever confirmed to the people of those colonies respectively, with all the rights of property, jurisdiction and government, and all other rights whatsoever, which might at any time hereafter have been claimed by Virginia, except the free navigation and use of the rivers Potowmack and Pocomoke, with the property of the Virginia shores or strands, bordering on either of the said, rivers, and all improvements which have been or shall be made thereon. The western and northern extent of Virginia shall in all other respects stand as fixed by the charter of king James the first, in the year one thousand six hundred and nine, and by the public treaty of peace between the courts of Great Britain and France in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty three; unless, by an act of legislature, one or more territories shall hereafter be laid off, and governments established westward of the Alleghany mountains. And no purchase of lands shall be made of the Indian natives, but on behalf of the public, by authority of the general assembly."

Resolved, That this convention will on to-morrow resolve itself into a committee of the whole; to take the same into consideration. Convention adjourns till to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.